Ryan: Old Firm double will be tough unless we get bit more streetwise
Ryan Edwards argues Dundee United will need to be more streetwise if they are to complete the Old Firm double at Tannadice this afternoon.
Victors over Rangers in their first home league game of the season, Tam Courts’ men tackle a Celtic side they have already held to a draw in Glasgow.
However, as the Tangerines’ newly-appointed skipper points out, plenty has changed since then.
“Celtic are a different animal now,” said Edwards.
“We played them at the end of September, which was probably a good time to catch them.
“Kyogo was missing that day and he is obviously one of their better players. He and Jota will be the ones we will need to stop this time.
“It finished 1-1 then and I thought we were unlucky. They had a few shots from outside the box, hit the bar, but we could have won it at the end.
“Now, though, they are winning games for fun. They will have their tails up and their supporters will be through in numbers.
“So no one will need motivated for it, which is important because we are going to have all be the best version of ourselves.
“That was what got us the win against Rangers when they were up and we will have to repeat that type of performance if we are to beat Celtic.”
Today is the third game since Edwards was announced as the new club captain – replacing Mark Reynolds who has struggled for game time – and it already plays on his mind he is yet to skipper the team to a victory.
“I love it. I was delighted when I got pulled in about it and buzzing when I told my family the news,” said the 28-year-old Liverpudlian.
“First things first, what we want to do is win and I haven’t done that yet. The role will mean a lot more when it comes.
“It is frustrating because we should have had it against Ross County and again against Motherwell last Tuesday.
“We knew what was at stake against Motherwell. Had we won the gap between us would have been massive and now it is down to one point.
“I hate to say it, but they were so much more streetwise than we were as a team at Fir Park last Tuesday night. It was clear to see and that is how they have won the game.
“We are a bit light at the minute, suspensions and injuries have taken away guys who have been big players for us and we do miss them.
“The lads who have come in and done well were just lacking that bit of experience and knowhow and Motherwell did us a few times.
“I am talking about little things like buying free-kicks, knowing when to go down and stuff like that, we lack a bit.
“We need to get that back and deal with opposition teams better starting with the Celtic game.
“As I have said, Kyogo and Jota will be the ones we will need to counter.
“We will need to try to keep them away from our goal, if we can, as much as possible to give ourselves a chance.”
Luckily for United, defence has been a strength this season with the partnership between Edwards and Charlie Mulgrew at the heart of a solid back line.
“When Charlie came in in the summer it gave everyone a lift,” said Edwards.
“He just walked into the dressing room and what with his presence and the career he has had, he instantly gained respect from everyone in the group.
“He is still a great player, on the ball and at defending ,and it has just clicked since we first played together in a four at the back.
“Since then we have got one of the best defensive records in the league – we just need to try to score more at the other end.”